The right time to Increase De Beers stake: Botswana’s mines minister

Botswana’s mines minister Bogolo Kenewendo says it’s “absolutely” the right time to discuss the government increasing its 15 per cent stake in De Beers.

Published

2 years ago

February 11, 2025

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She indicated that Anglo American, which owns the other 85 per cent of De Beers, was moving closer to an initial public offering (IPO) and that Botswana was pushing for a larger stake.

Anglo announced last week that it was likely to write down the value of De Beers from its current $7.6bn, as a result of persistent weak diamond demand, especially in China.

Botswana’s diamond, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s export earnings, has been severely hit by the global slump in demand.

In the last nine months of 2024 Debswana – its 50/50 joint venture with De Beers it sold $1.53bn of rough, down 52 per cent on the same period in 2023.

WDC Transitions To An Expanded System Of Warranties

Broadening Its Scope Beyond Conflict Diamonds To Encompass Human Rights, Labor Standards, Anti-Corruption, and Anti-Money Laundering

Published

11 hours ago

September 24, 2026

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The World Diamond Council (WDC) has fully transitioned to an expanded System of Warranties, broadening its scope beyond conflict diamonds to encompass human rights, labor standards, anti-corruption, and anti-money laundering controls across the global diamond supply chain.

First introduced in 2002 to complement the Kimberley Process for rough diamonds, the voluntary self-regulatory system applies to transactions involving polished diamonds and finished jewelry.

Following a five-year transition period that concluded on Sept. 21, companies trading in diamonds are now required to register on a dedicated WDC digital platform and complete an annual online self-assessment to maintain compliance.

Upon completing the evaluation, businesses receive a unique identification number to include alongside updated warranty declarations on commercial invoices and memos. The WDC initiated the revision in 2017 to modernize industry self-regulation and ensure broader ethical sourcing standards across intermediate and retail markets.